Pink Lloyd shows the way in Vigil Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The quirky Pink Lloyd, Canada’s top sprinter, notched his fourth consecutive stakes under Eurico Da Silva in Sunday’s Grade 3, $140,000 Vigil at Woodbine.

Pink Lloyd broke on top in the seven-furlong test, and was joined on the lead by outsider Great Wide Open through slow fractions. Pink Lloyd opened up a clear lead at the head of the stretch, and then drew away to score by a comfortable 2 1/4 lengths, in a time of 1:22.18.

We Deer You rallied wide from last to secure second by 1 1/2 lengths over Western Elegance. Tale of the Nile finished fourth, and was followed by Riker and Great Wide Open.

Da Silva said he inherited the lead after out-breaking Riker.

“He broke really sharp,” Da Silva said. “He was running very relaxed, and really kicked hard the last quarter. He’s a wonderful animal. When you ride a horse like him, it gives you such a great feeling. This is not an easy horse in the morning, and the exercise rider Rafael does a harder job than I do here. I just steer him around.”

Pink Lloyd, a son of Old Forester, earned $90,000 for Entourage Stable and trainer Robert Tiller.

“He’s a monster,” Tiller said. “At the barn, he’s difficult. He’s a big boy, and he loves to make you worry. He’s the best sprinter I’ve ever had. It’s just an honor to have him. I was worried about all kinds of things today – the track, the seven-eighths, the weight, and he just proved me wrong, again. He just went out there and did his thing.”

There was no show wagering, and Pink Lloyd returned $2.50 to win.